Obama ticked off the year's improvements, citing lower unemployment, a rising number of Americans covered by health insurance and a historic diplomatic opening with Cuba, as well as his executive action on climate change.

July U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $354.63 million according to The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total was down 11.5 percent from June and down 1.4 percent when compared with the total of $359.70 million reported for July 2013.

An expansive survey of economic activity across the U.S. offers an endorsement of the strength of the Michigan recovery and a boost for the promising prospects for the state’s continual business growth.

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in July for the 14th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 62nd consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.

Toyota remains No. 1 in global vehicles sales after the first six months of this year, followed by Volkswagen which bumped General Motors out of second place as the U.S. automaker grapples with a recall scandal.